Fallout Equestria: The Vanhoover Chronicles

One advantage the cloud cover grants is nigh absolute darkness during the night. What little light existed in the ruined streets and buildings were from campfires and the occasional flashes of gunfire. Truly it was peaceful, in a way only the wasteland could be. Every shadow could hide a threat, every ruin a desolate reminder of the dead kingdom.

Nopony noticed the insectoid creature as it sat on the roof of the ancient building that these days served as a pathetic trade post. These wastelanders were incapable of creating anything of value, content to live in the filth and scavenge the belongings of the dead. It had been close to two centuries yet nothing noteworthy had been built.

"Still, we all have our duties."

The strange being muttered to itself, thinking back at just how dedicated they had been in making sure things stayed this way. If these savages ever evolved past the stone age they might just become a threat one day, so it is better to respond quickly and make sure they are too distracted by their mundane lives to wonder why they live as they do.

A gunshot was heard, and a scream. The creature looked down, and the glowing orange shapes stood out from the dark blue background. For one senseless reason or another, yet another savage died. Truly, it is all they are capable of.

"Utterly pathetic."

A faint rasping sound was heard next to the creature. It didn't turn to look, instead it flapped its wing and took flight into the pitch black night sky. It was midnight, the gargoyles were waking. What manner of madness caused the Van Hoofs to ever devise such a thing? The constructs weren't a threat, but this was a stealth mission so avoidance would be the better alternative.

The winged shape glided silently through the air, out west towards the river and the sea. It was pleasant, flying in the night air. In Vanhoover it wasn't quite as foul as it was in the rest of the wasteland, maybe the sea had something to do with it? And apart from the gargoyles and the slumbering dragon there weren't any threats to a flier.

Yes, let the dirt ponies trudge through their filth. If they had any sense they would have grown wings long ago.

***

The river was calm, its water black and not a soul wandered on the bridge. It was utterly desolate and abandoned, yet this was the place. The old bridge, small and several centuries older than the other one. It had several houses built on top of it, and none were in use. To exposed, too obvious for the desperate. And the perfect location for debriefing operatives in the field.

The creature landed on the roof, which was still remarkably intact for its exposed location. In fact, had it not been in a worse state the last time? It had, and this wasn't some simple wasteland patch job. It looked untouched. The creature shuddered at the thought, glanced at the plastered walls of the building. Almost perfect location, maybe they needed to find another spot for these meetings.

One swift acrobatic motion and it broke into the window. Finding a single pony hiding in the attic of the not-ruin. The pony jumped in shock, before a look of recognition fell on its face and it calmed down.

"Is there any reason to scare me like that? Commodore?"

The Commodore touched its helmet with a hoof and the heat vision in the visor turned off. The mare before it had a yellow coat, a black mane, a tattered grey dust coat and some sort of cloth cap on her head. Strapped on its leg was a revolver and on her chest was a knife in another holster. She looked like any other of the filth down here, a perfect disguise.

"Report, Operative."

"Yes ma'am! Since arriving at the trade post known as North Trade the target has made no further attempts at contacting the crossbreed, not even through courier or the caravans. They don't seem to be allies as previously thought, in fact he seems to be just as disgusted at the thought as any other wastelander."

"Strange, that contradicts earlier reports..."

"Could it be an act? Ma'am."

"No, for all his exploits as a soldier he isn't cut out for espionage. He has a habit of saying that honesty is a virtue, which is why eliminating him is a priority. If he leaks anything then the situation could get out of hoof. Any other contacts of interests?"

"Yes, one potential complication. The caravan he travelled with was escorted by a mercenary group, The Daughter's of Luna. That in itself isn't unusual but one of the senior officers was part of this particular trip. The head of staff as I understand it, she handles the business side of things."

"So he may have a set a trap then. Not his style, but he may be desperate and it is standard protocol for dealing with unwanted attention. These Daughters, how dangerous are they? Regular wasteland thugs?"

"No Ma'am, they are most irregular. They follow the organization and discipline of Equestrian infantry, and are feared by the other groups. Their equipment consists of polymer armour, helmets equipped with S.A.T.S, assault rifles, combat shotguns and gatling guns. All of it in far better condition than what is usually found in the region. And one thing that I can't shake is that they are a very young organization. Not a gang that got more respectable with time nor mercenaries from outside the region, one day they were just kind of there."

"Hm, that on its own is worthy of an investigation. Any opinions to their origin or affiliation?"

"Yes, as far as I can gather they have an agenda. They actively protect any settlements and all caravans in the region, and only take kill contracts against groups or individuals that are destructive to what passes for civilization around here. As for their allegiance, it is obvious they have some benefactor hiding behind the scenes. As of this moment I see three possibilities."

The mare took a breather, her superior had already formed her own opinions on the matter. But this operative was showing promise, she paid attention and made deductions. More than the typical soldier, she was officer material. So let's see what her theories were.

"The first is Tall Tale, or Flood Town as the locals call it. It might be isolationist but they are led by a ghoul with experience in wartime politics. As she supposedly is the last remnant of the local power structures, she might be trying to reclaim the region. The counterpoint is that the Daughters are far better trained than the troops of that city, if she had access to such soldiers, wouldn't she have them train all of the rest of her forces to that level?"

She points out the flaws in her own arguments?

"The second is the Steel Ranger, they most certainly have the training, equipment and the will to set something like this up. It might be a preparation for a full scale take-over, or they might act as a means of recruiting wastelanders in order to bolster their forces. The daughters number barely over a hundred, but the head of staff is interesting in expanding the organization."

"And the third alternative?"

"Changelings, Ma'am."

She didn't need to say anything else. The rest of that scenario was self evident. It would be quite a problem if that were to be the case. The changeling queen was shrewd, yes. And definitely ruthless enough to try a gambit like this, it was definitely a scenario that required special attention.

"Uhm, ma'am. There is a point regarding that alternative."

"Then out with it, soldier!"

"Yes! The captain of the organization has a zealous hatred for changelings. And the head of staff is supposed to be able to tell when a changeling is attempting infiltration. As there is a public dislike for the creatures the Daughters have regularly taken out the doppelgangers."

"Interesting. Who are these two individuals?"

"The captain is a former raider and freelance bodyguard, the head of staff is a courier of some notoriety."

"When the current matter is dealt with you can focus on investigating those two and any links they have to the factions in the area. And find a new location for debriefing. This one is compromised."

"Yes Ma'am! Permission to infiltrate the organization in question?"

"Granted."

***

The white shape of the officer flew silently on the cold night wind, flying first east, then north and back west. What the operative didn't know was that she wasn't alone in Vanhoover. Another agent had already located the target's hideout, it was a perfect location for a pegasus. One that he had used years ago when he first infiltrated the place as a young agent, and where he first met his commanding officer in person. This was part of the reason why the commodore hesitated, it was too obvious. It was an invitation, and obviously a trap.

He wanted to be found, the interaction with the crossbreed was clearly intended as a provocation. They both knew that he couldn't escape her, she had countless of spies, operatives, hit squads, saboteurs and more at her disposal. He was alone. No matter how much he planned, he couldn't win this game. Not unless she made a mistake, and all of these little obvious tricks were meant to provoke her into a hasty action.

It wouldn't happen, she had every field operative be on the lookout for him and three separate ones actively stalking him. Every dirt pony he talked to, every place he stayed at, it was all being documented and compiled. To her surprise the evidence pointed to him not actually seeking out any surface factions, nor sharing any sensitive material. Either he was more clever than she gave him credit for, or he was aware that anyone he choose to tell would be either captured or neutralized within days.

So what was then the thing with these mercenaries? Are they part of his game? It wouldn't be enough to save his life, but maybe he sought to kill her. And a score of heavily armed savages could actually pose a threat. Had he turned that traitorous? She didn't know, she hadn't expected him to turn on her in the first place.

She sailed on the wind out over the open sea, en route to the traitor's hideaway. If he had brought any troops to the island then it would be obvious, there would be a boat and the mercenaries wouldn't be able to hide from the arcano-electronics within her armour. Nothing could hide from it.

The island was in sight, all dark and cold. This time she landed on the beach, activated her E.F.S. and paused for a moment. Out here the cloud cover didn't hold, the black sea was glittering with starlight. In her white armour even a naked eye could detect her with the star filled night sky as a background.

Some questioned why she insisted on the colour, it was part pride in her own personal colours of white and silver. However it was more than that, she and any of her personal flight were skilled enough to handle any mission regardless of camouflage. She smiled within her helmet, there was a third reason. Any soldier stood at attention when one of the Pearl Guard walked in, and even the councilors themselves hesitated at the sight.

***

No sounds were heard apart from the wind and the waves, nothing had appeared on the E.F.S. She remained unnoticed, and slowly made her way up the slope. Constantly crouching and on edge.

Nothing.

She was now on a staircase made from rough stone, leading up to the marble building. It was a strange sight, the island had three small beaches and three paths up to the building. The villa was built into the crevice that was located in the middle of the central hill. From the sea it looked merely two stories tall, yet when you were at the site it was a network of stairs, terraces, hidden gardens, secret paths and concealed rooms. It was more a maze designed by a mad mare or a child than a proper building, a sign that it was an old Van Hoof home.

That family was long gone yet they left their mark all over Vanhoover, it was uncanny how the wastelanders didn't seem to notice them. Or maybe they were just used to it? The city itself was a surreal labyrinth of its own, she didn't like walking the streets for that reason. There was something about it, a feeling that if she wasn't careful she would find herself caught in an eldritch net laid by long dead aristocrats.

Like most of Vanhoover this island villa held a surprisingly large basement, if one had supplies then one could be completely hidden for months on end. Not that anypony ever travelled here, it was located at the end of the world. Vanhoover was the border of Equestrian civilization. Everything west or north of it was forgotten even by the ponies of the old world.

"You came here alone? Really? And here I thought you would bring out the raptor for my sake."

The voice came from above, how could she have missed him? He was good, but... A stealth buck? She looked up and he was just sitting there on the terrace, with his fronthooves dangling over the railing without a care in the world. He was naked, and as far as she could tell: unarmed.

"How did you do that?!"

If he could hide from the E.F.S. then so could others, was it a trap after all?

"You rely too much on the fancy gadgets, Dream. Always have. The E.F.S. is a motion detector, things that stand still are invisibile to it. Every soldier that has been in the field for a while learns this the hard way. Point is, you are filled with blind spots."

Protocol meant that she locked on and killed him on sight. But he was expecting that, and he was definitely up to something. So she went with her political sensibilities instead of her training, she began stalling and gathering more information.

"... Skills still sharp then, did you see me on the way here?"

"Didn't have to, instincts told me someone was after me."

"Instinct? We aren't beasts, Heaven Song."

"Again, it is a pity you rarely went into the field yourself. There are some things you have to experience for yourself, some thing others can't teach you. And some things they won't."

"So tell me then, what did you learn?"

"Hahaha... you are actually asking that? You ask that NOW?? I have tried telling you for years, but you never listened! Fine! We are on the wrong side, the dirt ponies are no different from us. They are just as compassionate, intelligent and resourceful as any of us, more even! Equestria would be rebuilt by now if it weren't for us interfering!!"

"Dashite talk!"

She was very irritated by the subject. He had indeed brought up the notion before, but she had shielded him from punishment. How naive she had been, he had long been a traitor and she let him live...

"I would be proud to bear the name, but that is not going to happen. Is it?"

"..."

"You already reported me K.I.A. didn't you?"

"Yes, I did. Your seditious ideas have already affected others. I had to quarantine your existence before it spread through the ranks. Deadshot has already talked about going scouting missions to confirm my report, challenging my authority. If I am not careful he will go rogue and bring others with him."

"Windsheer's brother?? You think he will go dashite?"

"He was always the rebel in that family."

"Speaking of family, how are the girls?"

Her blood began to boil at the mention, this was why she had gone alone. To why she had given a false report and why she had let him live longer than he deserved. This traitor of a buck was her one and only lover, the father of her daughters, and yet despite that he decided to run away. Leaving her and their foals behind.

Her voice was cold, and she spoke in a tone that would have given a dragon pause.

"You are destroying their futures. Gentle Wing is asking where you went, at least Violette is too young to understand what you are doing to them."

"Tell them I'm sorry, will you?"

His voice was filled with a genuine sense of regret.

"Don't you dare! You are just a traitor and will not live to see another sunrise."

"Dream Pearl... You don't have to do this. I can disappear among the surface pegasi and none would be any wiser-"

"NO ONE crosses the Enclave and lives!"

Commodore Pearl entered S.A.T.S., locked on to his face and fired. Two white bolts of energies shot out from her battle saddle, in the heartbeat after they hit she could see him giving her dejected smile. Then his body burst into an alabaster cloud and there was nothing left of the stallion.

It was over.

The deserter was dead. After all that planning and espionage, he didn't even resist. No aerial duel under the moonlight, no trap with dozens of mercenaries, no desperate charge or rigged bomb. Nothing. He had just talked to her, as if diplomacy was worth anything in this world.

She was disappointed. All that irritation and rage, and no way to vent it. All that remained was his armour, the E-03 model was too rare and too valuable to loose. It was probably somewhere on the island, but she couldn't be bothered to care. After all was said and done she was an officer, and had subordinates for a reason. Maybe she would send Deadshot, and put this nonsense to rest.

***

The Enclave officer took flight once more and silently flew across the glittering black sea, too distracted by her grudge and disappointment to look back. If she had stayed a few more minutes out of sentimentality she would have realized that the two of them hadn't been alone. A few sparks of electricity lit up and among the shadows a pony in a dust coat and a desperado hat appeared. The mare in question sat quietly and gazed on the disappearing white form in the sky, careful to not move from the spot and trigger the E.F.S.

There was a golden glow from underneath the hat, but there wasn't anypony there to notice. The mare smiled to herself, it had been a most rewarding spectacle. For the first time she had seen her illusive enemy with her own eyes.

"Commodore Dream Pearl, commanding officer of the Special Surface Operations. Arrogant, paranoid and not quite as in control as she would like to think. A few more phantoms for her to chase, and with some luck... the red buck will force their hoof."

The mare stepped out of the shadows, walked up to the terrace where the pegasus stallion had died. The ash had already been blown away, and the island villa was pleasantly tranquil. The soft glow of the stars, the beautiful glittering onyx sea, the whining of the ocean wind. It was a place built by her relatives for one such as her. The mare closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment, maybe she would return if she ever decided to retire.

"Unfortunately, that will have to wait..."

A flash of light and the mare was gone, with none any wise.